AboutJoyce D Expertise Religious Educator (former director for six years, lifelong Unitarian Universalist - "UU"). I`m familiar with UU history & resources on the internet. I belong to many UU forums, have attended many congregations, and have been a delegate at the UU General Assembly.
Expert: Joyce D Date: 2/8/2005 Subject: Social Justice
Question -------------------------
Followup To
Question -
I need a greater understanding of "Social Justice", particularly as it is related to racism toward African-Americans. Our local minister talks about changing social policies and activities which are designed to undo the injustices suffered by African-Americans in the past. I need to understand the religous or philisophical basis and an actual definition for "social justice" and as UU's the actions needed to restore "social justice". Thanking you inadvance for your answer.
Answer -
Hi R E Greene,
I don't think UUs have a definition per se for "social justice". Justice has been defined, as with most words, by society's usage. You can look it up in a dictionary.
I guess that you don't really need a definition, but you're especially confused about it when it has to do with anti-racism (working against racism) as opposed to non-racism (not being a racist). Most UUs are not racists (intentionally), but they find it hard to do anything about racism besides not being racist. Finding the injustice can be hard for people who are not victims of injustice, especially when that injustice is subtle in today's world.
The statistics show a disproportionate number of black children in poverty, in poor schools, and in prison in comparison to whites. This is not a coincidence or because of some inate characteristic of blacks vs. whites. It is the result of a long history of racism. "White privilege" includes the privilege to not see these problems if we so choose, whereas most black people can't ignore them. There are some blacks now who have lived in privilege, mostly it's because they live in segregated middle-class neighborhoods with most of the necessary resources just as most whites do - there aren't many, though.
The article that helped me with this concept the best is "White Privilege: Unpacking the Invisible Knapsack." Here's a link for it (this site doesn't make links clickable, but you can have this message emailed to you where your email will probably make it clickable or you can copy and paste it in another window) - it's a very short article, though there are tons of books you can read, too.:
The best place to start is through dialogue to find out what the injustices are - open it up to the broader community - to people of color. Your district office has people who are trained to help with that. Isn't it unjust for UUs to keep the joy and freedom of a liberal religious faith to themselves and not share it with people of color (African Americans, Latinos, & others)? UUism has a much bigger white population than the general population and we don't openly share it, is that just? The excuse is that we don't want to prostelytize, but there are plenty African-Americans who are educated and who don't go to church. Here is a brief history of racial struggles within UUism.:
Joyce,
Thanks for your thoughtful, complete answer. I think I am on the right track. My follow up question is, Where is the philosophical or religious evidence that "social justice" is required by deity? What biblical references, Koran, Toaist, Buddhist or any holy scriptural references do we base the idea of "social justice" upon? Where does it say, that I must tear down or diminish another race or gender to provide "social justice" for the ones who have not received it?
Thanks
Ron
Answer Hi Ron,
You haven't been a UU too long, have you? :-) Belief in a deity is not required to be a UU. How will anti-racism work tear down or diminish another race or gender? Yes, there are race activists who diminish other races, but that is not what the UUA advocates and there are feminist organizations that diminish men, but again, that is not what the UUA advocates. The English language is not so straight-forward and thoughts and ideas are often misunderstood. Also good UUs sometimes go down a path that does not seem consistent. Fellow UUs who are strident believers in our principles, will politely question the ideas of other UUs who seem hypocritical. They will try to reach a greater understanding and find a better path for the congregation if that's needed.
I think your concern really is about how UUs justify anti-racism in particular rather than how all religions show "evidence that 'social justice' is required."
I will still give you some quotes from religions.:
Christianity:
God hath made of one blood all nations of men.
- Acts 17:26
Do unto others as you would have them do unto you, for this is the law and the prophets.
- Matthew 7:12, Luke 6:31
(Would you want others to ignore injustices done to you and take no action to help correct them?)
A new commandment I give to you, That you love one another; even as I have loved you ...By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.
- John 13:34-35
(Is not seeking justice in social affairs loving?)
Very similar statements are in all religions.:
Bahá'í:
Ascribe not to any soul that which thou wouldst not have ascribed to thee.
- Bahá'ulláh
Buddhism:
Hurt not others with that which pains yourself.
- Udanavarga 5.8
Full of love for all things in the world, practicing virtue in order to benefit others, this man alone is happy.
- Dhammapada
Confucianism:
Tzu Kung asked: "Is there any one principle upon which one's whole life may proceed?" Confucius replied: "Is not Reciprocity such a principle?- what you do not yourself desire, do not put before others."
- Analects 15.23
Seek to be in harmony with all your neighbors;
live in amity with your brethren.
- Shu King 5.17.2
Hinduism:
All are the sons and daughters of God, good people all, Brothers and Sisters, since created by One Father. No rooted difference is there between them.
- Bhavishya Purana LLL, IV, Ch.23
This is the sum of all true righteousness - Treat others, as thou wouldst thyself be treated. Do nothing to thy neighbor, which hereafter Thou wouldst not have thy neighbor do to thee.
- Mahabharata (Ganguli, Book 13 CXIII)
A man obtains a proper rule of action by looking on his neighbor as himself.
- Mahabharata
Islam
All creatures are the family of God; and he is the most beloved of God who does most good to His family.
- Hadith
Do unto all men as you would they should unto you, and reject for others what you would reject for yourself.
- Mishkat-el-Masabih
No one is a believer until he loves for his neighbor, and for
his brother, what he loves for himself.
- Hadith
Judaism:
Have we not all one father? hath not one God created us? Why do we deal treacherously every man against his brother?
- Malachi 2:10
What is hurtful to yourself do not to your fellow man. That is the whole of The Torah and the remainder is but commentary.
- Shabbath (also Rabbi Hillel)
Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself.
- Leviticus 19:18
Native American:
God is the Father, Earth the Mother. With all things and in all things, we are relatives.
- Sioux
Shintoism:
Do not forget that the world is one great family ... Regard Heaven as your father, Earth as your mother, and all things as your brothers and sisters.
- Oracle of Deity of Atsuta
Sikhism:
Treat others as thou wouldst be treated thyself.
- Guru Angad (Macauliffe vol 2, p.29)
Jainism:
A man should wander about treating all creatures as he himself would be treated.
- Sutrakritanga Sutra 1.11.33
Taoism:
Regard your neighbor's gain as your own gain; and regard your neighbor's loss as your own loss, even as though you were in their place.
- Tai-Shang Kan-Ying Pien
Unitarian Universalist:
The goal of world community with peace, liberty, and justice for all.
- 6th principle
We affirm the inherent dignity and worth of every person.
- 1st principle
Justice, equity and compassion in human relations.
- 2nd principle
There are many more examples from the wisdom of these and other religions. Of course, there is also hypocrisy in them all as well. I think UU comes closest to not being hypocritical as a religion, but there is still hypocrisy in the way people live it. I hope this helps.
